Echinacea plant named ‘ES18-20-01’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct plant of Echinacea purpurea named ‘ES18-20-01’ is disclosed, characterized by ray florets typically colored Orange-Red 34B, heavily overlayed with Red 46B and a dark greyed-purple cone. Flowers and foliage are distinctively large. Echinacea is a popular genus, typically used as container plants or landscape plants.

Latin name of the genus and species: Echinacea purpurea.

Variety denomination: ‘ES18-20-01’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new cultivar, Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’, is the product of a plannedbreeding program by the inventor. The new variety was selected as aseedling from an open pollination program. The open-pollinationresulting in the new variety was made during July of 2017 at a homenursery in Kempen, Germany. The seed parent is the unpatentedproprietary variety of Echinacea purpurea referred to as ‘ES17-02’. Thepollen parent is unknown. The discovery was made during June of 2018, inKempen, Germany, at the inventor's home nursery.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ was firstperformed in Kempen, Germany, at the same home nursery, by terminalvegetative cuttings n September of 2018. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ hassince produced at least three generations and has shown that the uniquefeatures of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘ES18-20-01’. These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘ES18-20-01’ as a new and distinct Echinaceacultivar:

-   -   1. Ray florets typically colored Orange-Red 34B, heavily        overlayed with Red 46B.    -   2. Dark greyed-purple cone color.    -   3. Larger flower than other red Echinacea varieties.    -   4. Large foliage.    -   5. Unique dark stem color near Greyed-Red 178A.

PARENTAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ are similar to plants of theparent in most horticultural characteristics. However, plants of the newcultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ has a darker ray floret color than the        seed parent.    -   2. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ has a larger flower diameter than the        seed parent.    -   3. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ has a less leggy plant habit than the        seed parent.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

The new cultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ can be compared to the commercial varietyEchinacea ‘BALSOMSED’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,105. Plants of the newcultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ is lower growing than ‘BALSOMSED’,        typically about 35 cm in height, compared to 42 cm of        ‘BALSOMSED’ when grown under similar conditions.    -   2. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ produces flowers with an average        diameter around 8.9 cm, flower diameter of this comparator is        about 7.5 cm.    -   3. Ray floret color of Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ is typically        Orange-Red 34B, heavily overlayed with Red 46B. Typical ray        floret color of this comparator is Red 45B.

The new cultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ can be compared to the unpatentedEchinacea ‘Mooodz Sympathy’. Plants of the new cultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ aresimilar to Echinacea ‘Moodz Sympathy’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics. However, plants of the new cultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ differin the following:

-   -   1. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ produces flowers with an average        diameter around 8.9 cm, flower diameter of this comparator is        about 7.0 cm.    -   2. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ produces larger foliage than this        comparator.    -   3. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ produces ray florets colored        red-orange and red; ray florets of this comparator are more dark        pink in color.

The new cultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ can be compared to the commercial varietyEchinacea ‘TNECHKRD’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 29,743. Plants of the newcultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ is lower growing than ‘TNECHKRD’,        typically about 35 cm in height, compared to 47 cm of ‘TNECHKRD’        when grown under similar conditions.    -   2. Ray floret color of Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ is typically        Orange-Red 34B, heavily overlayed with Red 46B. Typical ray        floret color of this comparator is Red 46A blended with        Greyed-Orange 170B.

The new cultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ can be compared to the commercial varietyEchinacea ‘BALSOMENCO’, U.S. Plant Pat. No. 25,523. Plants of the newcultivar ‘ES18-20-01’ differ in the following:

-   -   1. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ is lower growing than ‘BALSOMENCO’,        typically about 35 cm in height, compared to 48 cm of        ‘BALSOMENCO’ when grown under similar conditions.    -   2. Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ produces flowers with an average        diameter around 8.9 cm, flower diameter of this comparator is        about 7.5 cm.    -   3. Ray floret color of Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ is typically        Orange-Red 34B, heavily overlayed with Red 46B. Typical ray        floret color of this comparator is Orange 25A overlaid with        Orange-Red, with a Red base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and equipment.While the colors in these photographs may display variances of color ascompared to the living cultivar, due to LRV (light reflectance value),they are as accurate as possible using conventional photographictechniques. Colors in the photographs may appear to differ slightly fromthe color values cited in the botanical description, which accuratelydescribe the colors of new Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’. Plants were grown inKempen, Germany.

FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a plant of Echinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ grownin a 2 liter pot at approximately 1 year old.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color an inflorescence of Echinacea‘ES18-20-01’, grown outdoors.

FIG. 3 illustrates in full color a comparison of the inflorescences ofEchinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ (farthest left), Echinacea ‘BALSOMSED’ (center,commercially known in Europe as ‘Salza Red’), and ‘Mooodz Sympathy’(commercially known in Europe as ‘Sympatic’).

FIG. 4 illustrates in full color a comparison of the foliage ofEchinacea ‘ES18-20-01’ (farthest left), Echinacea ‘BALSOMSED’ (center,commercially known in Europe as ‘Salza Red’), and ‘Mooodz Sympathy’(commercially known in Europe as ‘Sympatic’).

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are rrrade to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart, 2007 except where general terms ofordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘ES18-20-01’ plants grown outdoors in HighHurstwood, United. Kingdom. Measurements and numerical values representaverages of typical plant types.

-   Botanical classification: Echinacea purpurea ‘ES18-20-01’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: 15 to 20 days at approximately 18° to 22° C.-   Root description: Fibrous and branched. Young roots white, older    roots creamy brown. Colors not accurately measured with RHS chart.

PLANT

-   Age of plant described: Approximately 12 months from a rooted    cutting.-   Growth habit: Hardy, upright, herbaceous perennial.-   Height: Approximately 35 cm.-   Plant spread: Approximately 45 cm.-   Growth rate: Moderate.-   Branching characteristics: Porrect, alternate.-   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 7 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 0.2 cm.-   Quantity of lateral branches: Approximately 3.-   Texture of lateral branches: Hispid.    -   -   Hair color.—Near RHS White 155A.-   Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Greyed-Red 178A.-   Aspect: Approximately 15 to 20 degrees from vertical.-   Internode length: Approximately 4.5 cm.-   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 2.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Alternate, simple. Average Length: Smallest            apical leaves (blade), approximately 1.7 cm. Largest basal            leaves (blade), approximately 9.0 cm. Average Width:            Smallest apical leaves (blade) approximately 1.1 cm. Largest            basal leaves (blade), approximately 5.9 cm. Shape of blade:            Narrowly ovate to lanceolate. Apex: Acute. Base: Stem leaves            attenuate, fused to stem; basal leaves — cordate to            attenuate, fused to petiole. Attachment: Sessile, fused to            stem in stem leaves, long petiole in basal leaves. Margin:            Entire, widely serrate. Texture of top surface: Moderately            hispid. Texture of bottom surface: Moderately hispid.            Rugosity: Strong. Leaf internode length: Approximately 3.5            cm on stems. Basal leaves grow from ground level. Color:            Young foliage upper side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147A. Young            foliage under side: Near RHS Yellow-Green 147B. Mature            foliage upper side: Between RHS Green 137A and 137B. Mature            foliage under side: Between RHS Green 137C and 137D.            Venation: Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 147D. Venation color under side: Near RHS            Yellow-Green 144D.-   Petiole: Basal leaves only.    -   -   Length.—Approximately 15 cm.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Texture.—Glabrous near base, becoming sparsely pubescent            near leaf blade.        -   Shape.—V-shaped in section.        -   Color-upper side.—Near RHS Green137B.        -   Color-lower side.—Near RHS 144D, faintly flushed with 183B.

FLOWER

-   Blooming period: Naturally blooming June to November (Kempen,    Germany).-   Bud:    -   -   Bud shape.—Oblate globular.        -   Bud length.—Approximately 0.9 cm.        -   Bud diameter.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Bud color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Form.—Composite, held terminally on strong peduncle, either            singly or on a raceme bearing up to 3 flowers.-   Flower:    -   -   Diameter of entire flower.—Approximately 8.9 cm.        -   Depth of flower.—Approximately 3.3 cm.        -   Disc diameter.—Approximately 2.4 cm.        -   Disc height.—3.3 cm.        -   Disc type.—Daisy.        -   Receptacle shape.—Conical.        -   Receptacle height.—Average 0.8 cm.        -   Receptacle diameter.—Average 1.4 cm.        -   Quantity of open inflorescences and buds per plant.—Average            8.        -   Longevity.—Approximately 20 days.        -   Rate of opening.—3 to 5 days from bud to fully opened            flower.        -   Persistent or self-cleaning.—Persistent.-   Ray Florets:    -   -   Arrangement.—Rotationally symmetric.        -   Aspect/orientation.—Perpendicular to disc, subtending with            age in mature flower.        -   Shape.—Narrowly lanceolate to narrowly oblanceolate.        -   Number of ray florets.—Avg. 16.        -   Length.—Approximately 3.4 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 1.2 cm.        -   Apex shape.—Incised with two acute tips.        -   Base.—Attenuate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Smooth, ribbed longitudinally.        -   Twisting.—Absent.-   Color:    -   -   Ray florets.—Upper surface at first opening: Near RHS Red            44A with overlay Red 46B. Near 46A and 46B at base. Upper            surface at maturity: Near RHS Orange-Red 34B, heavily            overlaid 42A. Base Red 46B. Upper surface at fading: Near            RHS Orange-Red N34B. Base Red 46B and 46C. Under surface at            first opening: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 185B. Under surface at            maturity: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 186A. Under surface at            fading: Between Greyed-Purple 186B and 186C.        -   Disc florets.—Number of Disc Florets: Approximately 180.            Arrangement: Spirally arranged in center of each            inflorescence. Length: Approximately 0.8 cm. Width:            Approximately 1.75 mm. Shape: Tubular. Margin: Entire. Apex:            Five acute tips. Base: Fused into tube. Texture: Glabrous,            glossy. Receptacle spines: Number of spines per disc            floret: 1. Spine shape: Cylindrical with conical tips. Spine            apex: Acute to attenuate. Spine texture: Glabrous, glossy.            Spine apex color: Near RHS Greyed-Purple 183A. Spine            mid-section color: Near RHS Red 46A. Spine base color: Near            RHS Yellow-Green 147B.        -   Disc florets Color.—At first opening: Near RHS Yellow-Green            144C flushed with Greyed-Purple 183C. At maturity: Near RHS            Greyed-Purple 187A.-   Fragrance: Faint, sweet.-   Phyllaries/involucral bracts.    -   -   Arrangement.—Three whorls.        -   Number.—Approximately 45.        -   Length.—Approximately 0.7 cm.        -   Width.—Approximately 0.25 cm.        -   Shape.—Narrowly ovate to lanceolate.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Truncate.        -   Margin.—Entire, hispid.        -   Texture.—Glabrous.        -   Color.—Adaxial surface color near RHS Yellow-Green 147B;            147A at margins. Abaxial surface color between Greyed-Purple            187A and 187B.-   Peduncle:    -   -   Length.—Average 15 cm.        -   Width.—Average 0.35 cm.        -   Texture.—moderately hispid.        -   Color.—Between Greyed-Purple 187A and 187B.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Androecium:    -   -   Stamens per disc floret.—5.        -   Filament length.—Approximately 0.2 cm.        -   Filament color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D.        -   Anther shape.—Oblong.        -   Anther length.—About 0.3 cm.        -   Anther color.—Near RHS Brown N200A.        -   Pollen amount.—Abundant.        -   Pollen color.—Near RHS Yellow 13B.-   Gynoecium:    -   -   Pistil length.—Approximately 1 cm.        -   Stigma shape.—Decurrent.        -   Stigma color.—Near RHS Greyed-Purple 187A.        -   Style length.—About 0.5 cm.        -   Style color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145C.        -   Ovary color.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 145D.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Fruits and seeds: Fertile, some seed set. Seeds achene, about 3 to 4    mm long and about 2 mm wide. Colored near Grey-Brown 199B.-   Temperature tolerance: Hardy perennial to minus 20° C. Upper    temperature tolerance to at least 45° C. (survived 8 days with    45° C. maximum in Summer 2020 at Kempen, Germany).-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance or susceptibility to    normal diseases and pests of Echinacea has been observed.-   Drought tolerance: Some drought tolerance, established plants can    tolerate infrequent summer watering.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Echinacea plantnamed ‘ES18-20-01’ as herein illustrated and described.